Has anyone who has a teenage child with Multiple Disabilities and is in a wheelchair taken their child on a cruise? Was the cruise a postive experience for both the children and the parents?
Thanks, Penny
aka Chaos Cent
I have an adult daughter with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy who is very frail and wheel chair bound. She has lots of physical problems and is learning disabled. We do
DCL every year. Of all the vacations we have done these are the best by far. We love them.
Yes, even more than the parks!
The dining servers will have her seating set up after the first time. For us that means food cut in tiny pieces, no chair, no stemmed glassware and so on. Just let them know what you need.
There are wonderful guys there that will help you on and off the boat if you are a manual chair. (Tips always appreciated.)
ADA rooms are spacious. If possible tell her to book a verandah at the very back of the boat. The deck space is
huge!
Word of caution here...ADA rooms book fast so book early. The deck space ones usually on the first or second day of availability for the popular cruises.
Shows have wheel chair seating and are fantastic entertainment. Go early since the wheel chair seating is limited. Ditto on the deck viewing ones.
Buses to the boat have ones that are wheel chair accessible. Tell her to use transfers. She checks in her luggage at the airport and doesn't have to see it again until it appears in her room.
Take what you need with you as basic medical supplies on board are limited, and if available way too pricey. Medical staff is available and friendly.
Now a brief word about elevators. Tell her sometimes polite doesn't work. Adults think nothing of crowding in front of a wheelchair to get on; thus, setting a fine example for kids in tow. Miss half a dozen elevators and you find you can be agressive.
On the flip side a few folk are fantastic and actually help.
Life boat drills are mandatory so take the elevators down a little early as they shut them down for the drill. Chill for a time after they are over as there is no hope of getting on an elevator when folks are in herds. Same applies after the shows let out or anything with a large mob release.
Wheelchair bathrooms are available but not all bathroom are accessible Plan accordingly.
The regular deck doors are hard to open to go back in but you can always ask someone to hold the door. Friendly folks abound.
Shore excursions are very limited. We are doing the Med repo next and only one is available for wheelchairs. Disney has an excellent support staff for this. They actually called me to let me know which one. If you go it on your own remember that accessibility is not guaranteed in foreign ports.
Palos and the beauty shop allow chairs. Never tried the Spa. If you are getting hair/nails done for formal night book the first day!
Some folks are totally oblivious to the chairs. Heads must be full of fairy dust.
The daughter should practice defensive driving just in case.
Buffet style meals have servers who will actually carry her tray and allow her to pick if desired.
Castaway Cay has the sand chairs (free). Not easy for the pusher but a unique experience for those in chairs when you wheel them out into that warm turquoise water. Go for it.
I probably missed a bunch of stuff like the sling that lowers folks into the pool. We didn't use it so I didn't pay much attention. Sorry about that.
Whatever I can help with though...I would be happy to.
Linda Bell
